Euro Travel & More

I visited Hanoi, Vietnam in the early 2000 and I do love how simple everything was then – I’ve heard that Hanoi is no longer as cheap as a vacation place now – as it is geared towards enticing the tourists to come.   Vietnam Airlines was the airline I took – when we went to Hanoi.

Traveling on the bike around Hanoi is the main transport for the locals – and if you care to take a ride – you can rent one for the entire day for just a few bucks.

Eating on the streets may not be for us – the tourists but they are darn good – if your tummy can hold the food down.

Market food.

A temple in Hanoi.

Food street?

Most food bloggers are adventurous and will eat street food – which were touted to be the best.  More on Hanoi in another post.  Stay tuned.

And who say we don’t have strawberries in Asia!

It was very hot and humid even though it was in March only – but it’s almost always hot and humid in Thailand I guess whatever time you planned to go.  And besides the Chatuchak  Weekend Market that everyone wants to visit – there is the Royal Palace and the many temples in BangKok that one can visit while you are there.  This statue was outside the Royal Palace – as if it was holding onto the Palace – the entire place was with this figurine.

Some said some of the statues are made of gold but it’s not true – it’s more like people thanking the Gods and pasting gold pieces or films.  But what is ironic about Bangkok is even though it is one of the richest country in the world – most of the girls I know there – works as a working girl at one point in their life.

Like many people who visits China – they usually go to Beijing or Shanghai – and they return home – thinking that they’ve already seen China – but Suzhou who is so near to Shanghai is a must to visit – and the high speed train is the way we took to Suzhou one fine day in May.  By the way – traveling on these high speed train are very cheap – and really fast – but make sure you book your tickets early and don’t be like us and up and left Shanghai outta impulse.  And you can get tickets in advance

Like most of China – Suzhou is no different when it comes to their bikes and motor bikes – their main form of transportation.

Walking and shopping in downtown Suzhou

There are many rivers in Suzhou – and this is just one of many.

Another river in Suzhou – more on Suzhou in another post.

Living in Asia for most of my life – I’m ashamed to say that I only visit Brunei – the land of oil – for business.  I don’t usually like going to Brunei because really there is nothing much to do there.   Brunei is one of the most religious country that I’ve been to – and a little secret I would let out to all of you reading my blog  – the high and powerful plus rich people from Brunei travel to Singapore and booked the whole hotel floor in a prestigious hotel in town and have woman friends from all over the world visit them and their friends and co-workers.  These women friends are model like and darn gorgeous – and dressed the best and given the best presents I’ve ever since.  Ssshshhhh!

The Royal Mosque was one of the place we visited when I was in Brunei and if you travel around Brunei – you will noticed that every building isn’t that tall – why?  because it’s the law that no building should be taller than the mosque.  Another thing about Brunei – you probably should know is – you can’t find any alcoholic drinks in Brunei – nor any beer.  Plenty of mock cocktails in restaurants and hotels but no wine, beer or any drinks.

The royal chariot in the royal museum – not for actual use.

What’s most interesting about Brunei is not the gold you find everywhere in the museum or the royal palace but the houses – on the water.  It’s amusing to see people lived like that – and also they have schools on the water.  Wonder what would happened during monsoon season eh?  or do they have one? maybe not – else they won’t do too good eh.  More on Brunei in another post.

Massive destruction in Japan and many dead and lost their homes – in the aftermath of the Tsunami earlier today.  My heart goes out to the people in Japan.  Japan is such a beautiful place and to think that disaster struck just like that.  Japan is known for many earthquakes in fact i experienced it myself when I lived in Japan for 6 months  – but nothing compare to this – it was only a tremor – nothing up to this magnitude.   I cannot imagine going thru’ something like this – such helplessness if you watch some of the videos.  I’m praying for Japan and all the people affected by the earthquakes and Tsunami.  And for those planning a trip to Japan – now is not the time – but I’m sure common sense will prevail.

The River View Hotel in Singapore is located in Havelock Road – about 15 minutes away from the business district and – that was the only reason why i put my boss there to stay in – when he came to Singapore for the first time.  I don’t know if they already renovated – but the pictures I saw on the net – are not what I had seen about 15 years ago.  But I wasn’t really disappointed with the hotel – just that the rooms were very small and it’s a very old hotel.  So if you are in Singapore – you may want to check out the newer hotels instead.

The Grand Copthorne Hoel was like a second home to me – many years ago – why?  because my boss was staying at the Grand permanently – for 2 years.  Yes!  they do have long staying guests at this hotel and the rates are awesome.  I love the grand entrance at the Grand – and believed that the ball in front with water features is due to feng shui reasons.  I think the Kwek family owns the Grand Copthorne if I am not wrong.  One thing I also loved about the Grand are all their lighting fixtures especially their bathroom lighting fixtures , in fact I liked it so much  – I tried to find the same supplier they got to get the same lighting fixtures for my bathrooms at home.

The rooms were pretty nice – and they had good restaurants at the hotel – and a very grand lobby with very pleasant hotel staff.

And I’ve eaten at the Cafe Brio for so many times – I can memorized the menu – but I think I loved most is the cold cut bar – with oysters and salad and fruits.   So if you are looking for a place to eat or stay in Singapore – try the Grand Copthorne Hotel – because the locality is just great.

Some people travel for the love of shopping and some people because of the historical presence in a certain place – but I travel for the love of food mostly – well, besides work of course.  And one of the best oyster bars that I’ve been too – sits right in Asia – Hong Kong at the Sheraton Hotel in Kowloon.  Their Oyster & Wine Bar offers around 800 of the delectable creatures. Check every now and then as you will find different varieties  coming from the different regions where oysters are grown. Some of the oysters are flown from Oregon, Galway, Tasmania, Colchester, Brittany, Japan, Long Island, Chile, South Africa and Vietnam.  Watch out for the Namibian varieties and the Chilean ones when they are offered.

Of late – I’ve been making everyone at home try my BBQ sambal fish from Malaysia.  You see – a friend from home sent some very spicy sambal to me for Christmas and I went crazy over them and made the family eat this BBQ fish on banana leaf every night.   So with spicy food – comes my pimples and acne – but I think it was definitely worth it – I can always do my acne treatments – because I miss the food from home so much.   The spouse teased me tonight that I would be needing more than just acne creams and lots of water – but I told him – it was worth it – as long as I get a taste of Malaysia.  This BBQ sambal fish’s recipe comes all the way from Malaysia and thanks to my girlfriend from Malaysia – for the wonderful home-made sambal.

Found some pictures of the trip we took to Osaka on a bullet train for a food trip – I was staying in Japan for 6 months for work – so when we had a holiday – a long weekend – my co-workers and I – decided that we should go on and R&R to Osaka.   So we hop onto a bullet train and away we went.

Our tickets for the bullet train.

Whale testicles!  woohoo!!!  we kinda was not gonna try that – but what the heck eh ! you only lived once ! so how does it taste?  It tasted like intestines – the ones you eat when you have bak kut teh – so it wasn’t too, too bad – but I wouldn’t wanna eat it again – muahhahaha!!!  and yes ! i heard from our host that there is a  restaurant in Tokyo that serves Whale everything – from whale stomach to penises.  kekeke!!   you can have fried testicles too – I hear it’s better.  Is it exotic food? probably considered. what do you think?

The weird or exotic stuff outta the way – we then had Kobe beef.

Some Shabu-Shabu for a cold night in late November.

We had some hairy crab too.

More BBQ Crab

Crab sashimi – I never had crab sashimi before till that day – it was pretty decent.  More on the trip not food but sightseeing in another post.